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Tuesday, July 25, 2023 –A section of United Democratic Alliance UDA Party politicians have expressed their concerns over the planned Azimio la Umoja candle night march on Wednesday July 26.
In a statement read at Hustlers Plaza in Nairobi today Tuesday July 25, the UDA Party politicians argued that the opposition plan to hold a night vigil could be suspicious and a security threat to the nation; hence need to block it this early.
“We have intelligence reports that you postponed the planned day protests so as to use the guise of darkness to cause destruction of property,” former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who also sits in the Cabinet as President William Ruto’s advisor, alleged.
The UDA Party secretary general together with Hassan Omar and MP Mohamed Ali, however, warned that security apparatus were on high alert over the threat and will closely monitor the opposition to ensure no destruction is caused.
“We have many ways of mourning apart from lighting candles. We can go to church to pray for the victims,” Malala challenged Azimio.
This concern from the ruling party coming just hours after, Azimio La Umoja party, under former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, announced that it will be holding a nightlong vigil, on Wednesday, July 26, to commemorate Kenyans who died in their demonstrations.
“We are calling on Kenyans to come out, light candles and lay flowers, preferably white, in remembrance of and respect for the victim,” Raila’s statement read in part.
This being an alternative to the earlier planned anti-State day time protests which had been announced by Azimio in their earlier press briefings.
But Malala has claimed, Raila is tactically using the dirty political theatrics to force a handshake with President William Ruto who is not ready to enjoin outsiders into his government.
But in his speech with the international media and which was televised live today Tuesday, the opposition leader told off those who claim he is after a coalition with the current regime.
Odinga maintained that his only concern was the biting high cost of living affecting the country and which should be addressed urgently.
He therefore, said he was open to a dialogue with all peace envoys seeking to convince the conflicting parties to agree for a sit down.
Raila blamed President William Ruto for failing to honour a recent visit by Tanzanian head of State Samia Suluhu who was in the country to facilitate the opposition-government talks.
Samia is reported to have been in Kenya in mid-July even as the Common Wealth had also offered to mediate between Raila and President Ruto so that to restore peace and unity in the country.